Crimping tool

Abstract

A tool for crimping a sheet metal clasp around overlapped lengths of nonmetallic strapping material. The sheet metal clasp, after being placed around the strapping, is inserted into the tool which can then be operated to cause two lips on the clasp to fold over and constrict the clasp around the strapping material. The tool has two jaws, one of which is elongated, which facilitate this folding action. The elongated first jaw is positioned to fold over a first lip on the clasp prior to the other jaw folding the second lip. In this manner the second jaw can fold the second lip over the first lip thereby securing the clasp. The jaws of the tool are of a solid and unitary construction and are adapted to deform the clasp around the strapping to further strengthen the seal.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tool for crimping sheet metal clasps around overlapped lengths of nonmetallic strapping material, said tool comprising: a frame;   a platen affixed to said frame including a plurality of parallel ridges, said ridges having spaces therebetween and distal surfaces defining a generally planar support surface adapted to support a base portion of a said sheet metal clasp;   first and second jaws, each of said jaws having an elongate body portion and a projecting ledge portion at one end projecting generally perpendicular to said body portion, said second jaw having a substantially shorter projecting ledge portion than said first jaw, said ledge portions each including a plurality of parallel ridges extending generally parallel to said ledge portion, said ridges having spaces therebetween and distal surfaces defining a generally planar inner crimping surface for the ledge portions, the body portions of said jaws being pivotably mounted on said frame on opposite sides of said support surface with said projecting ledges in opposed relationship for movement between an open position with said jaws spaced from each other and said support surface to afford positioning a base portion of a sheet metal clasp on said support surface with a top portion of the clasp adjacent said first jaw and a locking lip of the clasp adjacent said second jaw, and a closed position with said ledge portions proximate to each other and more closely adjacent said support surface, such that the crimping surface of said first jaw will engage and bend the top portion of the clasp over the overlapped lengths of strapping extending through the clasp, and the crimping surface of said second jaw will engage and bend the locking lip of the clasp over the distal edge of the top portion of the clasp, said ridges on said ledge portions being aligned with said spaces on said platen and said ridges on said platen being aligned with said spaces on said ledge portions to transversely deform the clasp upon movement of said jaws to their closed position;   a pair of elongate handles,   means mounting said handles for pivotal movement relative to each other and for pivotally coupling said handles to said jaws to afford moving said jaws from their open to their closed position.   
     
     
       2. A crimping tool as described in claim 1 wherein said means mounting said handles includes guide means on said frame coupled to said handles for ensuring a constant path relative to said frame for the movement of said projecting ledges between open and closed positions. 
     
     
       3. A crimping tool as described in claim 1 wherein said means mounting said handles includes a coupling pin pivotably connecting said handles and a sliding member attached to said hinge pin, said frame has a slot extending generally perpendicular to said support surface, and said sliding member is slideably engaged in said slot. 
     
     
       4. A crimping tool for crimping sheet metal clasps around overlapped lengths of nonmetallic strapping material, said tool comprising a frame, a pair of handles, means mounting said handles for pivotal movement relative to each other and said frame, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted in said frame for movement between an open position affording the insertion of said lengths of strapping and a clasp which is to be crimped around said strapping, and a closed position where said jaws essentially constrict the clasp around said strapping, means pivotally coupling said handles to said jaws; said tool further comprising a stationary platen affixed to said frame, said platen and said frame being adapted to receive said lengths of strapping and clasp when said jaws are in said open position, and wherein said jaws are of a one-piece construction having a projecting ledge disposed to contact and fold over the clasp during the closing of said jaws, one of said projecting ledges being elongated so as to contact the clasp prior to the other of said ledges, thereby causing the side of said clasp first contacted to fold over due to the force exerted by said elongate jaw prior to the side of said clasp secondly contacted by said other jaw. 
     
     
       5. A crimping tool as described in claim 4 wherein said other of said ledges being shorter than said elongate ledge is adapted to contact the clasp only after the elongate ledge has folded over the first contacted side of the clasp, thereby causing the second contacted side of the clasp to fold over the first. 
     
     
       6. A crimping tool as described in claim 4 wherein the inner surface of said ledges are defined by a series of ridges spaced apart from and parallel to each other, and wherein the surface of said platen is adapted to include a series of projecting ridges also spaced apart from and parallel to each other and further disposed such that said ridges of said platen are aligned with said spaces between the ridges of said jaws and said ridges of said jaws are aligned with said spaces between the ridges of said platen, thereby affording an irregular surface to deform said clasps as said jaws move from their open to their closed position.